<—love is…

a want

We want to keep bringing you Relief Journal. In print. eBook. Hopefully in other eReader formats soon.

We want to keep publishing phenomenal new writers and fabulous established authors.

We want to remain on the radar of literary journals (with a Christian worldview.)

We want to keep offering an outlet for stories that paint a complete picture of Christ and life –- real, gritty, painful, wonderful, this-side-of-heaven life.

but

we have

a need…

Money.

We’re not in (the negative.) We’re thinking in proactive terms and anticipating financial needs for 2011.

We don’t need a lot. Our goal is $1500.

…a want and a need brought together.

Love is—>

all about communication

If we could wildly spend unlimited amounts of cash, we’d be doing all dreamy things.

But the reality is we only have so much and it only goes so far. We are dedicated to being good stewards of the blessings we’ve received thus far. We’re an all volunteer staff. No one gets rewarded with cash. We’re rewarded with heavenly crowns. We do this because we LoveRelief. The mission, the people, and the hard work. From Valentine’s Day to Tax Day, you’ll be hearing from our volunteers. They’ll tell you why they work so hard for so little.

The $1500 we’re asking for will help to pay our printer. The US Post Office for shipping and the cost of our PO Box. Office Depot for shipping supplies. It will help pay for our web presence. Our e-junkie account so we can sell you copies online. Our bank fees. It will help pay our yearly fees to the government.

It will help us start 2011 in confidence. Knowing that we’ll have fundage in the bank allows our staff to focus on what we consider the important thing: Excellent stories.

We’re communicating our need.

We’re hoping you LoveRelief enough give a little so that we can continue giving you what we love–this journal.

*Please use the Chip In widget above to show your support.

The revamped Diner blog is not quite ready for the public yet, so until then, I’ll continue to post Diner related content here!

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The Diner recommends: Diner alumni Kevin Lucia‘s novel Hiram Grange and The Chosen One: The Scandalous Misadventures of Hiram Grange.

I’ll admit. I didn’t understand Hiram Grange at first. The fact is, he’s a super cool dude with a bunch of flaws who doesn’t necessarily want to do the right thing, but is kind of forced into it. (and which one of us doesn’t understand that?!)  Each novel in the series is a stand-alone and Kevin’s is a great (and sometimes gross) read. A little bit Lovecraft, a little bit allegory, and a lot of tension, the payoff at the end is superb.

Hiram Grange doesn’t believe in fate. He makes his own destiny. That’s a good thing, because Queen Mab of Faerie has foreseen the destruction of the world, and as usual… it’s all Hiram’s fault. He must choose: kill an innocent girl and save the universe… or rescue her and watch all else burn. Just another day on the job for Hiram Grange.

Kevin is giving a copy away here or you can purchase a copy here.

Mike Duran, Diner Editor alumni, writes for Novel Journey, one of Writer’s Digest’s 101 Most Valuable Websites for Writers in 2008 and 2010. Recently, he asked to interview me about The Diner 3.  I think you might enjoy reading how things came together. We discussed what kinds of stories the Diner does (and does not) look for, whether or not “Christian Horror” is an oxymoron, things that happened during my first year at the helm, the gorgeous cover art,

and

a secret.

You can read the interview here.

Presales are starting now–authors will be announced on Monday.

Here’s the cover for a teaser!

Thank you, Gina Hernandez, for illustrating this gorgeous cover and also for designing The Midnight Diner’s new logo!

Photo courtesy of Michelle Pendergrass.

Directions:

1. Write a haiku inspired by the photo and post it in the comments.

For extra chances to win:

2. Follow @reliefjournal on Twitter

3. Follow @Quo Vadis on Twitter

4. Twitter @reliefjournal with your haiku and #PHW (Photo Haiku Wednesday)

* * *

The good people over at Quo Vadis have generously donated some prizes!!

The weekly winner will receive a Quo Vadis Habana Journal and a bottle of J. Herbin ink!!

Every week Relief will choose a random winner! So play along and tell your friends. See the information below for extra chances to win.

* * *

Winner will be announced via Twitter Thursday afternoons.

We can only ship to U.S. addresses right now.

You may only win once every three months, but you may play along every week for Twitter Super Bonus Points.

* * *

Would you like to have your photo featured on Photo Haiku Wednesday?

Email your photos to Michelle: photohaiku@reliefjournal.com

You’ll get a photo credit link here on the main blog and you’ll also be entered in the drawing for the Quo Vadis Habana journal and bottle of J. Herbin ink the week your photo appears on the blog!